Forever White Belt

In this episode, we have, Keelan Lawyer. Keelan is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Brandon McCaghren at 10th Planet Decatur in Alabama. As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of Brandon’s work and consider him one of the best instructors in the game today. Keelan, or as Brandon likes to call him 'Conscious Keelan,' has played a crucial role behind the scenes, helping elevate Brandon's fantastic content.

In addition to being responsible for much of the initial filming at 10P Decatur, Keelan is the founder of Subconscious Studios, his media company, and a partner in the PGF (Professional Grappling Federation), alongside Zoltan Bathory from the band Five Finger Death Punch, Heather Grace Gracie, and he is their Director of Technology.

In this conversation, Keelan and I explore his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, the evolution of 10th Planet Decatur, and the community that Brandon and Lindsay McCaghren have cultivated. We dive into Keelan's path to black belt, his balance between documenting and creating content, and how he's working to expand jiu-jitsu's reach. We also discuss his role in the PGF and how they've successfully adapted a unique format, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Finally, we look at the future of jiu-jitsu, including its potential to evolve into a professional sport, complete with scholarships and professional leagues.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/consciouskeelan/

https://www.pgf.world/

https://www.instagram.com/subconscious.studios/

https://www.instagram.com/pgfworld/

https://decaturbrazilianjiujitsu.com/

In this episode, we've got an incredible guest joining us, none other than, Adele Fornarino, the 2024 ADCC double gold champion. Adele has taken the world of grappling by storm, making history as the first Australian to win ADCC and the first to take the open class title. She’s a jiu-jitsu black belt under David Hart of Team Dominance MMA, and she’s been an unstoppable force since 2022 when she won the IBJJF World No-Gi title as a brown belt and dominated the Oceania & Asia ADCC Qualifiers.

Adele has trained with some of the best in the game, including Andre Galvao representing the team at ATOS HQ. She's also trained with Lachlan Giles and the team at Absolute MMA and more. Today, we’ll dive into her journey, how she’s processed her incredible achievements, and what’s next for this groundbreaking athlete.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/adelefornarino/

https://linktr.ee/daddy.adele.bjj

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In this episode, we bring you an incredible interview with none other than Jonathan Satava. Jon is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia, part of the golden generation of grapplers from Garcia’s New York academy. Regarded as one of the top prospects in the 82kg (181lbs) weight class, Jon has achieved remarkable victories at the Worlds, Pan American Championships, and World Pro in the lower belt divisions. He solidified his reputation at the black belt level with a double gold performance at the No-Gi Pan American, back-to-back silver medals at the No-Gi World Championships, a 3rd place finish at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, and winning the North American ADCC Trials.

Beyond his impressive competition record, Jon has been a dedicated instructor at the Marcelo Garcia Academy in NYC, taught seminars worldwide, and been featured in numerous jiu-jitsu magazines and instructional content. Now, he shares his 15+ years of knowledge, experience, and passion for the gentle art at Peak Jiu-Jitsu in both League City, Texas, and Patchogue, NY. His instructionals are highly sought after on major platforms.

I'm so honored to have Jon on the show, he truly straddles the worlds of traditional and modern Jiu-Jitsu. I greatly appreciate Jon's transparency and heart-wrenching honesty, it's truly courageous of him to say things so many others have been thinking and feeling. He's a remarkable individual and someone I'm truly honored to have had a conversation with. I hope this is the first of many.

In this episode of Forever White Belt, we sit down with Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Shawn Aukstakalnis. Over a decade ago, Shawn was a software engineer and a purple belt who was passionate about Jiu-Jitsu and seeking an escape from the daily office grind. Along with some friends and training partners, he co-founded Digitsu, a platform dedicated to producing and distributing high-quality BJJ instructionals.

During its early days, Digitsu quickly became one of the leading platforms for Jiu-Jitsu instructional content. However, just before the market boomed, Digitsu went on hiatus and stopped producing new content.

Today, Shawn teaches at Renzo Gracie Brooklyn and has recently relaunched Digitsu. With his extensive experience in both software and Jiu-Jitsu, Shawn aims to transform Digitsu into an essential tool for practitioners looking to improve their BJJ skills more efficiently.

Links:

In this episode, I have a great conversation with Ryan Aitken, an amazing Black Belt at 10th Planet Atlanta under friend of the show, Sean Applegate.

In this episode, we have an exceptional returning guest - 1st Degree Jay Pages Black Belt, Josh Janis.

Josh and Brown Belt Meghan Wagner are the driving force behind the White Lotus Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But his impact extends far beyond the mats of his academy. Through his ventures like MyOdisee and Gentle Art Lifestyle, Josh coaches professionals and individuals on interpersonal communication development, strategy, and personal growth, all while spreading the ethos of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

With over two decades of training, Josh is renowned for his painless, precise, and playful approach to the art. Today, we delve deep into various aspects of training and safety, exploring the nuances of language, the importance of breath, and the philosophy of the tap.

At White Lotus, they embrace an inclusive vision of Jiu Jitsu, emphasizing playfulness, painlessness, and precision. It's a haven for hobbyists and enthusiasts alike, where the pursuit of growth and camaraderie reign supreme.

Join us as we explore Josh's insights on leadership, creativity, and his endeavors to share the gentle art with the world. From his Patreon offerings to his nearly free seminar tours, Josh's dedication to spreading the joy of Jiu Jitsu knows no bounds.

Links:

ig @joshuaj_bjj

ig @whitelotusbjj

⁠https://www.patreon.com/GentleArtLifestyle⁠

⁠https://www.myodisee.com/⁠

⁠https://www.gentleartlifestyle.com/

In this episode, we have a very special guest, Seattle, WA Black Belt Sonia Sillan. Sonia is an incredible entrepreneur, a dedicated mother, and the owner of two Jiu Jitsu academies—Combat Arts Academy and Burien Brazilian Jiu Jitsu—as well as a fitness gym. Her journey to success was far from typical. In this episode, you'll hear the fascinating story of how Sonia, then a Blue Belt, was unexpectedly left in charge of an academy with almost no business experience. Despite the many ups and downs, she navigated the challenges and built a thriving business with low attrition rates. Whether you own an academy, dream of running one someday, or are simply curious about what it takes to operate a successful Jiu Jitsu academy, you won't want to miss this episode. Sonia was super gracious with her time, and I greatly appreciated her transparency in sharing her story. In our conversation, Sonia shares insights on believing in oneself, having confidence, and staying true to one’s vision. We dive into her sales process, website philosophy, and the value of focusing on the customer's goals. We also discuss crucial aspects of running a martial arts academy, including the importance of pricing, coach development, and training, creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Sonia highlights the benefits of women's programs and the Girls in Gis organization, shares her personal journey of recovery and prevention and discusses the tools and applications she uses to manage her academies, including Zen Planner and Discord.

Links:

https://caaseattle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/delridgestrength/

https://www.instagram.com/burienbjj

https://www.instagram.com/combatartsacademy

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I couldn't be more thrilled about the episode we have in store for you today. This interview has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I'm very honored to bring you this conversation.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of jiu-jitsu with none other than Jon Calestine, a black belt under the esteemed Daisuke Yamaji of the Renzo Gracie Fight Academy. But Jon's journey doesn't stop there; he's trained extensively with luminaries such as Eddie Cummings, John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, the rest of the DDS, and more, shaping him into the formidable grappler and coach he is today.

Jon is renowned as one of the premier 145-pound grapplers of his generation, having made waves in the submission-only professional grappling circuit with victories at events like the Eddie Bravo Invitational, Onnit Invitational, Sapateiro Invitational, and Finishers Sub-Only.In this episode, Jon shares invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of leg locks in jiu-jitsu, drawing from his vast experience and expertise. Moreover, he offers a rare glimpse into the early days of his training, rubbing shoulders with the previously mentioned legends Eddie Cummings and John Danaher.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting your jiu-jitsu journey, Jon's wealth of knowledge and effective teaching style make his content a must-watch. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of the sport with one of its most respected figures.

Links:

https://linktr.ee/joncalestine

https://www.joncalestine.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jon_calestine

https://www.patreon.com/JonCalestine

In this episode, we have a special guest: Katie Casimir from the famed King Kneebar duo, Bendy & Katie.

At the heart of our conversation lies the story of Bendy Casimir, a Paris native who found his way to the United States through the world of MMA, eventually becoming enamored with jiu jitsu and the intricacies of kneebars. His journey, intertwined with that of his wife Katie, a former kickboxer turned grappler, led to the creation of the renowned King Kneebar system.

What sets Bendy and Katie apart is their relentless pursuit of knowledge within jiu jitsu. Their King Kneebar course isn't just for experts; it's for anyone passionate about the sport and eager to embrace the journey of continuous learning. As they aptly put it, "There is no destination in jiu jitsu.".

Throughout our discussion, we'll uncover the essence of their teachings, the philosophy behind their approach, and the collaborative spirit that drives their passion. From their experiences training with legends like Robert Drysdale to the invaluable lessons learned from their own students, Bendy and Katie embody the spirit of lifelong students.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of the King Kneebar system, from the basics to the advanced techniques, and discover how this dynamic duo is shaping the landscape of jiu jitsu education. So whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your journey, prepare to be inspired, challenged, and ultimately, transformed by the wisdom of Bendy & Katie Casimir.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/king_kneebar/

https://linktr.ee/king_kneebar

https://www.instagram.com/bendycasimir/

https://www.instagram.com/the_casimir_project/

In this episode, we have one of my favorite people, Michael Liera Jr., a second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under André Galvão, renowned as one of the most talented competitors of his generation. From his early success winning multiple world titles at different belt levels to founding his academy, Lōgōs Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in Denver, Colorado.

In this episode, we delve into Michael's transition from being a single-focused competitor to assuming the role of academy owner and leader. We uncover his high fight IQ, his earnest respect for warmups, competition, tradition, and potential.

As we explore Michael's journey, listeners will gain valuable takeaways about the importance of mentorship, self-awareness, and adaptability. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your Jiu-Jitsu journey, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and inspiration.

Tune in to discover more about Michael's journey, his approach to training and competition, and the unique culture at Lōgōs Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Links:

IG:

@lierajr

@delaliera

@logosbjjdenver

YT:

https://www.youtube.com/@Delalierahttps://logosjiujitsu.com/